By Musa Ubandawaki

As dethronement of traditional rulers continue to generate controversy in Sokoto, the state Higher Court sitting in Sokoto has issued an order restraining the governor from sacking 2 out 15 traditional rulers already removed by the state government .

The orders were sought seperately by Alhaji Buhari Dahiru Tambuwal and Alhaji Abubakar Kassim, the district heads of Tambuwal and Kebbe respectively, who were among the 15 traditional  rulers earlier  removed by the government on allegation of  insubordination and aiding insecurity in the state.

The presiding judge, Justice Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed, ordered the governor of Sokoto State, his Attorney General and the Sokoto Sultanate Council to revert to status quo, pending the determination of the suite filed  before him by the complainants who were represented by Prof Ibrahim Abdullahi SAN.

Justice Ahmed, through two orders, directed the defendants, their agents servants, privies or assigns or any person acting on their behalf,  to “maintain status quo and stay all actions and further  actions in

connection with all matters dealing with and or appertaining  to the removal and or dethronement of

Districts Heads in Sokoto State,” particularly those of Kebbe and Tambuwal,  pending the hearing and determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction duly filed by the two before the court.

This development is coming in the wake of a bill presented to the state House of Assembly by the governor seeking an amendment of the state Local Government Law, affecting the appointment and disposition of district and village heads and to confer on him  exclusive powers to appoint and dethrone traditional rulers in the state.

The sacking of 15 district heads and the proposed bill sent to the state  Assembly has generated  reactions and heated debate  across the state and the  country, with recent stern warning to the state government by Vice President,Kashim Shettima who called on the state government to regard the Sultanate  as an idea that must be respected, preserved and protected.